What happens at a rabbit annual vet check and how should I prepare?

Rabbits should see an exotic animal veterinarian at least once a year for a comprehensive wellness exam including dental assessment, weight check, ear examination, and parasite screening — annual visits catch problems before they become emergencies.

Many rabbit owners see vets only in crisis. Annual wellness exams change this dynamic entirely — and for a species that masks illness so effectively, proactive screening is especially valuable.

Why exotic-specialist vets matter
Rabbits have profoundly different physiology from dogs and cats. General practice vets vary widely in exotic animal experience. Seek a vet who sees rabbits regularly, ideally a member of AEMV (Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians) or equivalent European body.

The annual exam: system by system

Weight and body condition: Baseline comparison to previous visits. A 5% change since last year triggers investigation.

Dental examination: Rabbit teeth grow continuously throughout life. The vet will check incisor alignment visually and use an otoscope or specialized scope to examine cheek teeth for spurs, uneven wear, or soft tissue ulceration.

Ear examination: Both ears checked for wax buildup, infection, or polyps. E. cuniculi serology may be recommended in older rabbits.

Abdominal palpation: Feeling for gut motility, bladder stones, uterine enlargement (in unspayed does), or organ abnormalities.

Respiratory assessment: Listening to lung sounds and counting respiratory rate.

Skin and coat check: Looking for parasites, abnormal molt patterns, or skin lesions.

Blood panel — when is it indicated?
Not routine for young healthy rabbits, but recommended annually from age 4+, or at any age if symptoms suggest kidney, liver, or metabolic disease. Key values: BUN, creatinine, ALT, calcium, and E. cuniculi serology.

Questions to bring
- Has my rabbit's hay consumption changed?
- Are droppings consistent in size and quantity?
- Have you noticed any lumps or swellings?
- Is the rabbit's water intake stable?

Arrive at your rabbit's annual check with a full health report from Flovvi — weight trends, behavior notes, appetite logs, vaccine history. Give your vet the data they need.